Madrid: Massimiliano Allegri has told his players at Juventus not to be afraid of Atletico Madrid but for one of these teams their worst fears in this season’s Champions League are about to become a reality.
Crashing out in the last 16 would be unthinkable for two clubs that were among the favourites when the draw for the knockout stages was made in December.
“Those that have ambition are not afraid,” Allegri said, after his side were drawn to play Atletico away, with the first leg Wednesday at the Wanda Metropolitano. “It’s like a final, we cannot put a foot wrong,” Atletico boss Diego Simeone said.
Juventus and Atletico Madrid have reached 12 European Cup finals between them, with last season’s game in Kiev the first in five years in which neither had featured.
Atletico went on to win the Europa League instead, proving themselves too strong for Europe’s second-tier competition, while Juventus were dumped out by eventual winners Real Madrid, undone by a controversial Cristiano Ronaldo penalty in the 98th minute.
It was Ronaldo’s 10th goal in seven games against Juventus, having scored twice in the first leg and twice in the final in 2017 too. Juve beat Real in the semi-finals two years earlier but even then, Ronaldo managed a goal in each leg. This time he will be donning the Juve shirt so it will be some form of relief for the Serie A champions. As Lionel Messi said: “They already had a good team and now they have Cristiano Ronaldo.”
But with anticipation comes pressure. Juventus are on course to win an eighth consecutive Scudetto but this is the one trophy they crave.
“We have to be wary of Atletico,” Allegri said. “And we have to find the right moment to score. It’s crucial that we get a goal there, otherwise qualification will be very difficult,” he added.
Atletico have the chance to play a final at home this year, at the Wanda Metropolitano if they reach the summit clash round.
“Of course we are inspired that we have the chance to play the final in our own stadium, in our own city, in front of our own fans,” Simeone said. “But it is pointless only to imagine it. The reality will be what we deserve,” he added.
Simeone extended his contract as Atleti coach until 2022 last week and while few can question the remarkable progress made during his tenure, there are some that believe a ceiling has been reached.
Summer signings are yet to fully fire and there is scepticism about the January arrival of Alvaro Morata, not just because of his links to Real Madrid. When results waver, questions about Simeone’s style also invariably follow. However, star player Antoine Griezmann has supported Simeone’s style.
“It is a style I like, it makes us win,” Griezmann was quoted as saying by ‘UEFA’, Monday.
AFP